Al Gore has given up on the human race. Despite his best efforts, we have reached environmental tipping points of varying types in global temperature, peak oil, reality-show-itis...   

Global Warming: Permafrost defrosting in Siberia, transformation of the Jet Stream , slowing of ocean currents .

Extreme Weather: High temps, storms, drought...Courtesy of Climate Progress

Reality-show-itis: Big Brother, Survivor, The Biggest Loser...BBC from back in 2000 !

Perhaps, because the tunes cry, "Music is my Sanctuary", I am optimistic about the idea of pulling cars off the road in China (BBC). Without going to the extreme of the Mel Brooks musical the Producers, fascism can be good for the environment, at least during the Olympics:

But an article in the state-run China Daily gave details of the further, stricter measures that could be introduced."More vehicles could go off the roads, and all construction sites and some more factories in Beijing and its neighbouring areas could be closed temporarily," a front-page article said. This was confirmed by Professor Zhu Tong, of Peking University, who advises the Beijing government about air pollution.
He confirmed that 90% of the city's private cars could be taken off the roads under these stricter controls

Of course this might not be a great time to be a human rights protestor ... 

UPDATE: Clouds over Olympic Stadium (BBC - August 4, 2004).